Page 64 of Hide and Sneak
Lila
You want to take me to dinner or have me for dinner?
Me
First one now. Second one later.
Lila
Back door is unlocked.
We don’t usually spend time together outside of the trailer. I’m going to take her on a little impromptu date.
I’ve only been to Lila’s building once when she first got the place. It looks completely different now when I let myself in the back door. New shiny flooring stretches wall to wall and it looks like everything is finished except for the paint. She’ll be getting equipment set up soon. I love that she’s done so well and worked so hard to make this happen.
A deep voice is followed by Lila’s laugh and I follow the sound to the front room. I expected to find Row or one of his crew, but they’re nowhere to be seen. Lila stands side by side with another man, pointing at the ceiling as she talks to him. His reply makes her laugh again. What’s so damn funny? Their backs are to me so she doesn’t see me, but I see him and the way he looks at her. I recognize that fucker. It’s the artist. An artist who’s going to get his paintbrush shoved up his ass if he doesn’t quit flirting with my girl.
My steps are quiet as I approach. She doesn’t notice me until I sling my arm around her waist, pull her against me, and kiss her. Her lips part automatically under mine, and her cheeks are flushed when we break apart.
Reject Rembrandt takes a step back, and I grin down at her. “Are you ready to go?”
Uh-oh. Her expression isn’t reassuring. I might’ve pissed her off. “Julian, this is my…Sutton. Sutton, Julian.”
“Nice to meet you,” he replies, diplomatically, then turns to Lila. “So, I’ll get started tomorrow on the rocket room? I have another quick job in the morning, but I can be here at noon.”
“Works for me. Text me if the door’s locked.”
He glances at me before smiling at her again. “See you tomorrow.”
She’s going to see him stuffed in that dumpster out back if he doesn’t quit fucking around. As soon as he leaves, she confronts me.
“What the hell was that?”
“What do you mean?”
She crosses her arms, her eyes narrowing. “You know what I mean. Kissing me like that in front of him.”
“I was excited to see you. Why? Are you trying to date him?”
“No, of course not.”
“Does he know Amos or something?”
“No.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“The problem is you practically pissed on my leg to mark your territory. You don’t own me. And I don’t appreciate being kissed as a tactic or to prove something.”
Shit. She’s right. I broke up with my last girlfriend because she was jealous and didn’t trust me. I’m not even sure why I’m acting this way. I’ve never been the jealous type.
“I’ve lost my appetite for dinner. Go without me,” she says, and stalks away.
Great. I’ve fucked up and turned my plan for a date night into our first argument. “Delilah, wait.”
She pauses when I catch her wrist. “You’re right.”
Anger flares in her eyes. “I know.”
